IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT

 FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF PENNSYLVANIA

 

DR. MARTIN I. FRY, et al.,

 Plaintiffs,

 v.

MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP, et al.,

 Defendants.

 

 CIVIL ACTION NO. 02-2780

O R D E R

AND NOW, this 30th day of July, 2002, upon consideration of the attached request

dated July 29, 2002, the pretrial conference scheduled for July 31, 2002 is cancelled. It is hereby

ORDERED as follows:

1. DISCOVERY CUTOFF. Discovery shall be completed by October 29, 2002. 

Any amendments to the pleadings, joinder of additional parties, or motions shall be undertaken and

concluded so as not to delay the completion of discovery by the specified date.

2. SUMMARY JUDGMENT MOTIONS AND MOTIONS IN LIMINE. Any

motions for summary judgment or motions in limine shall be filed within ten days, including

weekends and holidays, from the end of the discovery period.

Upon any motion for summary judgment pursuant to Fed. R Civ.P. 56, there shall be

filed with the motion a separate, short and concise statement of the material facts, in numbered

paragraphs, as to which the moving party contends there is no genuine issue to be tried.

The papers opposing a motion for summary judgment shall include a separate, short

and concise statement of the material facts, responding to the numbered paragraphs set forth in the

statement required in the foregoing paragraph, as to which it is contended that there exists a genuine

issue to be tried.

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Statements of material facts in support, or in opposition to, a motion shall include

references to the parts of the record that support the statements.

All material facts set forth in the statement required to be served by the moving party

may be taken by the court as admitted unless controverted by the opposing party.

3. PLAINTIFF'S PRETRIAL MEMORANDUM. The plaintiff's pretrial

memorandum under Local Rule 16.1(c) shall be filed within ten days, including weekends and

holidays, of the end of the discovery period. The plaintiff shall file one copy of record and deliver

two courtesy copies to chambers.

4. DEFENDANT'S PRETRIAL MEMORANDUM. The defendant's pretrial

memorandum under Local Rule 16.1(c) shall be filed within twenty days, including weekends and

holidays, of the end of the discovery period. The defendant shall file one copy of record and deliver

two courtesy copies to chambers.

5. TRIAL BRIEFS. The parties shall file one copy of record and submit two

courtesy copies of trial briefs covering legal issues likely to arise at trial. Trial briefs shall be filed

with the respective pretrial memoranda.

6. POINTS FOR CHARGE AND JOINT JURY QUESTIONS. Parties in jury

trials shall file one copy of record and submit three courtesy copies of proposed, numbered points for

charge, including authorities with precise, pinpoint page citations. The parties shall file these papers

with their respective pretrial memoranda. In addition, counsel shall submit a jointly prepared

proposed verdict sheet. To the extent counsel cannot agree as to content, counsel shall submit

alternative drafts. The submission shall not be a waiver of contentions that there is insufficient

evidence to submit such issues to the jury. In drafting the jury questions for the proposed verdict

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sheet, counsel are to bear in mind that the key is simplicity in wording and organization so that the

final draft contains the fewest number of questions necessary for a verdict. The parties shall file one

copy of record and two courtesy copies of the jointly prepared proposed verdict sheet within twenty

days, including weekends and holidays, of the end of the discovery period.

7. FINDINGS OF FACT AND CONCLUSIONS OF LAW. Parties in nonjury

trials shall file one copy of record and submit three courtesy copies of proposed findings of fact and

conclusions of law, including authorities with precise, pinpoint page citations. The parties shall file

these papers with their respective pretrial memoranda.

8. COMPUTER DISKS. In addition to their written submissions, if possible, the

parties are requested to submit their proposed points for charge or proposed findings of fact and

conclusions of law on a WordPerfect compatible computer disk (31⁄2" or 51⁄4").

9. UNCONTESTED FACTS. The parties shall meet to prepare a complete and

comprehensive stipulation of uncontested facts in accordance with the procedure set forth in Local

Rule of Civil Procedure 16.1(d)(2)(b)(2). The parties shall file one copy of record and submit three

courtesy copies of the jointly prepared stipulation of uncontested facts within twenty days, including

weekends and holidays, of the end of the discovery period.

10. TRIAL EXHIBITS. All trial exhibits shall be marked and exchanged by the

time discovery is to be completed.

11. TRIAL POOL. The case shall be placed in the trial pool on December 3,

2002, to be called for trial upon 24 hours telephone notice.

12. TRIAL PROCEDURE. The following should guide counsel at trial:

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a) Counsel are expected to select a jury promptly without arguing the case to the

panel.

b) In general, the court discourages side bar conferences because they are usually

unnecessary. If counsel feel that a side bar is absolutely necessary, they shall

state the side bar general purpose so that the court may decide whether one is

in fact necessary.

c) It is not necessary to ask permission to approach a witness.

d) Counsel are expected to have their witnesses available, either in the courtroom

or in the witness room located outside the courtroom. Please instruct your

witnesses to speak slowly, distinctly and loud enough for all to hear.

Examinations should be limited to direct, cross and re-direct unless there are

exceptional circumstances.

e) Counsel should use the podium for opening and closing statements.

f) Counsel should move all exhibits in a clear voice, identifying each by name

and/or number. If there is no objection, exhibits are automatically admitted.

g) Counsel are expected to edit trial depositions to remove superfluous material.

h) Counsel shall submit Rule 50 motions in writing.

i) At the close of trial, exhibits are released to the custody of the party who 

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offered them and should be picked up within 24 hours.

BY THE COURT:

_________________________________

MARVIN KATZ, S.J.

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